Donauinsel
Donauinsel
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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The area
Neighborhood: Leopoldstadt
Welcome to one of Vienna’s trendiest quarters. The second district has witnessed a turbulent ride, from medieval swamp to vibrant Jewish quarter, from pleasure ground for the noble and humble to current hip residence and workplace of Vienna’s creative crowd. Cross the Danube Canal from the city center and take in life on Taborstrasse with its mix of old townhouses, churches, theaters, discount shops and ethnic restaurants. Head for Augarten via Karmelitermarkt, Leopoldstadt’s trendy marketplace. Baroque Augarten itself hosts a bizarre mix of manicured hedges and flowerbeds in front of a colossal World War II defense tower, the publicly accessible 300-year-old Augarten porcelain manufactory, the palatial boarding school and funky concert hall of the Vienna Boys Choir, and the modern art museum TBA21. At its opposite corner, The Prater not only houses the Giant Ferris Wheel but blends a bustling amusement park with lush woodland, perfect for a bike tour. Further east is the old derby racing ground of Krieau.
How to get there
- Donaustadtbrücke • 5 min walk
- Donaumarina • 7 min walk
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1,883 within 3 miles
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987 within 6 miles
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Engin Ovali
Istanbul, Türkiye7 contributions
Sep 2020
What is great about the southern part of Donauinsel is that it's all over a relaxed clothing optional nudist zone. You'll see the marks "FKK" on the road where the zone starts; but actually when there is good wheather people extend the zone even more than the official area. That's great about Vienna; after work you do some sports; start in the middle of the city, run (or bike) southwards in the nature, and then just slip out of your sweaty cloths and jump right away in the refreshing water and have a good swim. I did that often when I was in Vienna for work appointments.
Written March 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stewarts Vacation
1,543 contributions
May 2022
We were staying in the city on the banks of the canal, somewhat disappointed at the unattractiveness of the Danube ... until we realized that we were indeed looking at the canalized section of the Danube and not the actual river. We set off to find the "true blue Danube" and we were not disappointed!
We caught the red line U-Bahn from Schwedenplatz to Vorgartenstr. We followed Lassalle Strasse which brought us to a bridge crossing a branch of the Danube to Donauinsel and then across a second section of the river to Donau City and Copa Beach. This entire area is great for walking or cycling. We found a floating bridge which we used to return to Donauinsel. There were a few cafes and bars open and plenty of grassed areas for a picnic. (Would recommend getting off at Donauinsel Station if you want to walk a shorter distance.) We were very glad to have seen the much more attractive blue Danube!
We caught the red line U-Bahn from Schwedenplatz to Vorgartenstr. We followed Lassalle Strasse which brought us to a bridge crossing a branch of the Danube to Donauinsel and then across a second section of the river to Donau City and Copa Beach. This entire area is great for walking or cycling. We found a floating bridge which we used to return to Donauinsel. There were a few cafes and bars open and plenty of grassed areas for a picnic. (Would recommend getting off at Donauinsel Station if you want to walk a shorter distance.) We were very glad to have seen the much more attractive blue Danube!
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolDM1900
Montpelier, VT3,343 contributions
Mar 2015 • Solo
Runners visiting Vienna can start right here. Forget the Ringstrasse: way too crowded, except perhaps on early weekend mornings. Even then, fast bikers in confined spaces are always a hazard. Prater Park is better: the tree-lined Hauptallee runs for a few kilometers that are pleasant when not crowded, muddy, or strewn with giant chestnuts that seasonally litter the trails.
But my favorite is the Donauinsel --"Danube Island"-- trail, especially the 9 km long section [marked kilometer 12.3 to kilometer 21.3] that runs from the Reichsbrücke [U1 Donauinsel station] toward the barrier dam at Langenzersdorf. From the dam, a 21 km long clean, clear, beautiful stillwater known as the "new" Danube emerges from the "old" river's eerily green commercial channel.
If you ever go up to Leopoldsberg, from there you will see the two Danubes side-by-side, the "old" one murky green and "new" one sparkling blue. The "beautiful blue Danube" is the stillwater section separated by the dam for 21 km, part of a flood control project undertaken in the 1970s and 1980s.
The further you get from the Reichsbrücke, the more you'll enjoy the run because you will find fewer people, fewer dogs, and more nature. This is because, once you pass the bright orange Jedlesee Bridge, there is no other exit point from the island until you reach the dam, still about 4 km away. So if you run to the dam, you will have to double back or cross over it to the other side, from there returning to the nearest bridge exit point about 5 km away. The whole route, from the Reichsbrücke to the dam, then across the river and back to the Reichsbrücke, is 18.5 km.
Other than the exercise, what's so good about running this section of the Donauinsel?
1. Nature, more of it as you go on. Swans all over the river, especially the last km before the dam, along with great blue herons, gulls, jays and many other birds. Green space, with many wildflowers in late summer especially.
2. Swimming platforms, strategically placed so that you can stop for dip without having to wade in from the bank. Or, if you prefer, some sandy beaches after kilometer 18, including one lovely spot with a picnic table right by the river bank. Except after a heavy rain, the water is astonishingly clear and delightful. Just jump right in. Don't have a swimsuit? There's a nudist section between kilometers 17.7 and 19.5, clearly marked with letters FKK painted across the trail.
3. Views. From the minute you leave the Reichsbrücke, you will see Leopoldsberg in the distance. This is Vienna's most famous hill, topped by a white church with a distinctive green roof, St. Leopold's, built to give thanks for victory over the Ottomans in the siege of 1683. If you run to the dam, you will pass right by Leopoldsberg and so also get the view from the opposite side, including the older fort that is adjacent to the church. If you cross to the other river bank over the dam bridge, you will have great views of Leopoldsberg, especially if you climb to the top of a high stone embankment that just about directly across the river from the hill. Early in the morning, when it's still, you can see beautiful reflections of the hill and the church. Worth bringing a small camera, as I often do.
4. Flexibility. You may think you're up for a long run but find you're getting tired, your feet hurt, or you're not dressed for changing weather. Except for the last few kilometers of the island, where you really are stuck, there are exit points that you can use to shorten your run. The Neue Donau station on the U6 line is easily accessible from either bank over the Danzer U-Bahn Bridge which has a pedestrian walkway. 0.3 km from there, the 38 tram crosses over the Floridsdorf bridge on the way to Schotttenring. You can use these exit points to lop off about 3.5 km. Both bridges, near kilometer 15.5, are easy to identify if you are observant enough to note crossing trains and trams or tram wires.
5. Access to Toilets, Food and Drink. Toilets are located every few kilometers along the trail. If you don't see one on "your" side, look across the river; there may be one on the other bank that you can get to across a bridge. At the very end of the island, by the dam, there is a toilet on the far (Langenzersdorf/Danube City) side, so you will have to cross over the dam bridge to get there. In wintertime, though, you are out of luck because all the toilets are closed and locked. Similarly, the cafes along the river banks from Floridsdorf to the Reichsbrücke close until spring. In season, however, you can stop for a refreshing drink, snack or meal. There is a cafe on the high bank right near the 38 tram stop, which has been a lifesaver for me on hot days. Watch for painted signs on the trail pointing the way to a cafe with an advertisement, often one for "Eskimo" ice cream.
6. Distance Markers. The trails have painted markings every tenth of a kilometer, so you will know exactly how far you are going and can plan accordingly. The markers are also helpful if you like to do a few wind sprints during a longer run. It's easy periodically to run very fast for a tenth of a kilometer during a longer run, and the markers give you an incentive to do so.
I should mention that there actually are 3 parallel trails on the island, although I greatly favor the one running along the "new" Danube bank. There is another that goes along the elevated backbone of the island and a third that runs along the "old" Danube bank with its commercial traffic, including river cruise ships that are moored on the other side by a picturesque if obsolete lighthouse. You can change back and forth pretty easily if you wish. The elevated trail tends to be the one that serious bikers use, and they ride very, very fast, so be especially careful if you are running there. The trail on the "old" bank is rough in places, with sometimes rocky footing, and it passes by houseboats moored there for camping or fishing. I would definitely not wade into or swim in that water, even though there are a few pleasant beaches on that side.
I've run the Donauinsel numerous times over the last 8 months and there is no other running trail that comes near to what it offers. Please see my pictures, included here. Good running to you!
But my favorite is the Donauinsel --"Danube Island"-- trail, especially the 9 km long section [marked kilometer 12.3 to kilometer 21.3] that runs from the Reichsbrücke [U1 Donauinsel station] toward the barrier dam at Langenzersdorf. From the dam, a 21 km long clean, clear, beautiful stillwater known as the "new" Danube emerges from the "old" river's eerily green commercial channel.
If you ever go up to Leopoldsberg, from there you will see the two Danubes side-by-side, the "old" one murky green and "new" one sparkling blue. The "beautiful blue Danube" is the stillwater section separated by the dam for 21 km, part of a flood control project undertaken in the 1970s and 1980s.
The further you get from the Reichsbrücke, the more you'll enjoy the run because you will find fewer people, fewer dogs, and more nature. This is because, once you pass the bright orange Jedlesee Bridge, there is no other exit point from the island until you reach the dam, still about 4 km away. So if you run to the dam, you will have to double back or cross over it to the other side, from there returning to the nearest bridge exit point about 5 km away. The whole route, from the Reichsbrücke to the dam, then across the river and back to the Reichsbrücke, is 18.5 km.
Other than the exercise, what's so good about running this section of the Donauinsel?
1. Nature, more of it as you go on. Swans all over the river, especially the last km before the dam, along with great blue herons, gulls, jays and many other birds. Green space, with many wildflowers in late summer especially.
2. Swimming platforms, strategically placed so that you can stop for dip without having to wade in from the bank. Or, if you prefer, some sandy beaches after kilometer 18, including one lovely spot with a picnic table right by the river bank. Except after a heavy rain, the water is astonishingly clear and delightful. Just jump right in. Don't have a swimsuit? There's a nudist section between kilometers 17.7 and 19.5, clearly marked with letters FKK painted across the trail.
3. Views. From the minute you leave the Reichsbrücke, you will see Leopoldsberg in the distance. This is Vienna's most famous hill, topped by a white church with a distinctive green roof, St. Leopold's, built to give thanks for victory over the Ottomans in the siege of 1683. If you run to the dam, you will pass right by Leopoldsberg and so also get the view from the opposite side, including the older fort that is adjacent to the church. If you cross to the other river bank over the dam bridge, you will have great views of Leopoldsberg, especially if you climb to the top of a high stone embankment that just about directly across the river from the hill. Early in the morning, when it's still, you can see beautiful reflections of the hill and the church. Worth bringing a small camera, as I often do.
4. Flexibility. You may think you're up for a long run but find you're getting tired, your feet hurt, or you're not dressed for changing weather. Except for the last few kilometers of the island, where you really are stuck, there are exit points that you can use to shorten your run. The Neue Donau station on the U6 line is easily accessible from either bank over the Danzer U-Bahn Bridge which has a pedestrian walkway. 0.3 km from there, the 38 tram crosses over the Floridsdorf bridge on the way to Schotttenring. You can use these exit points to lop off about 3.5 km. Both bridges, near kilometer 15.5, are easy to identify if you are observant enough to note crossing trains and trams or tram wires.
5. Access to Toilets, Food and Drink. Toilets are located every few kilometers along the trail. If you don't see one on "your" side, look across the river; there may be one on the other bank that you can get to across a bridge. At the very end of the island, by the dam, there is a toilet on the far (Langenzersdorf/Danube City) side, so you will have to cross over the dam bridge to get there. In wintertime, though, you are out of luck because all the toilets are closed and locked. Similarly, the cafes along the river banks from Floridsdorf to the Reichsbrücke close until spring. In season, however, you can stop for a refreshing drink, snack or meal. There is a cafe on the high bank right near the 38 tram stop, which has been a lifesaver for me on hot days. Watch for painted signs on the trail pointing the way to a cafe with an advertisement, often one for "Eskimo" ice cream.
6. Distance Markers. The trails have painted markings every tenth of a kilometer, so you will know exactly how far you are going and can plan accordingly. The markers are also helpful if you like to do a few wind sprints during a longer run. It's easy periodically to run very fast for a tenth of a kilometer during a longer run, and the markers give you an incentive to do so.
I should mention that there actually are 3 parallel trails on the island, although I greatly favor the one running along the "new" Danube bank. There is another that goes along the elevated backbone of the island and a third that runs along the "old" Danube bank with its commercial traffic, including river cruise ships that are moored on the other side by a picturesque if obsolete lighthouse. You can change back and forth pretty easily if you wish. The elevated trail tends to be the one that serious bikers use, and they ride very, very fast, so be especially careful if you are running there. The trail on the "old" bank is rough in places, with sometimes rocky footing, and it passes by houseboats moored there for camping or fishing. I would definitely not wade into or swim in that water, even though there are a few pleasant beaches on that side.
I've run the Donauinsel numerous times over the last 8 months and there is no other running trail that comes near to what it offers. Please see my pictures, included here. Good running to you!
Written March 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aaccli
macon, ga560 contributions
Jun 2011
After traveling with our 13 and 15 year old sons for a week through Prague and Vienna, they seemed to get that glazed look about them... like if they saw one more cathedral or palace or castle, they just might fall out. We decided to find some kid-friendly, relaxing, not so rapid-fire sight-seeing place. We found it at the Danube Island. Great stretches of sunbathers, tikibars, restaurants, and skaters lined the banks of the river. We enjoyed sitting here and relaxing, reading a book allowing the boys to wander and be teenagers. They enjoyed jumping on the huge trampolines that were on a barge on the river.
Probably not at the top of the list of the most historical or important sights to visit, but sure was a very pleasant afternoon in June for this family of four.
Probably not at the top of the list of the most historical or important sights to visit, but sure was a very pleasant afternoon in June for this family of four.
Written June 11, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margarita P
Tallinn, Estonia52 contributions
Sep 2012 • Solo
Donauinsel is a precious escape to the nature from the busy city in only 20 min by U-Bahn. The best way is to take U6 and to exit on Neue Donau station, then walk over the bridge to the island.
This part of the Island is quieter and less crowded. There are nice walk path along the Donau river and lots of places to swim and sunbathe. Its also a perfect place to rollerblade and to ride a bike.
This part of the Island is quieter and less crowded. There are nice walk path along the Donau river and lots of places to swim and sunbathe. Its also a perfect place to rollerblade and to ride a bike.
Written October 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Efrin_Knight
Miami, FL205 contributions
Apr 2012 • Solo
During my last trip to Vienna in May 2012, I slept in two hotels half way between a big transportation hub called PRATERSTERN and the Danube River: Ibis and Etap Wien Messe hotels, for which I posted two reviews right here, in Trip Advisor, because I slept in both of them.
On my second day, I took subway line U 1 downtown (only three stops from both hotels) but, instead of getting off at “Vorgartenstrasse” station to go back to my room, I continued to the following one, called “DONAUINSEL”, which took me to a long and narrow island in the middle of the Danube river, from where I walked back to my hotel on a pedestrian and bike bridge next to the big road bridge with the subway hidden underneath.
Since it was already 8 pm under a partly cloudy sky, I couldn’t take any pictures nor film a couple of sequences with my cheap camcorder, so I returned a few days later, on a bright and sunny morning, right after a big 6 € breakfast in my hotel (for more details about this incredibly cheap big breakfast, please read my review about the “Etap Wien Messe”) and started filming and taking pictures.
When I was about to leave, I decided to see the other side of a light house and that’s when I discovered the other side of this island with great views and plenty of little restaurants, which I hadn’t noticed until then. Most of them offered set menus for lunch, as it is customary in Europe, for a low price (many under 10 €, which is very, very cheap in the old continent!) and I saw one with Mexican food where they had chicken with pineapple that day.
I had the intention to return there a few hours later, but in the afternoon the weather was turning ugly, so I decided to have lunch in one of the restaurants along Praterstrasse, where I could rapidly get under cover. And I was right because, as I started eating at 2:30 pm, a heavy rain started falling.
Fortunately, “somebody turned off the rain” (as Forrest Gump said in one of the greatest masterpieces of the 7th art, the third of the twelve films that you must take with you to the desert island!) one hour later and I could walk to “Schwedenplatz” and finish smoking my Cuban cigar. Cigar that I had started smoking in the restaurant by the way, because in Vienna, unlike in the US, France or Uruguay, nonsmokers have not managed to impose their tyranny to the whole population and you can still smoke in restaurants, where you will see an ashtray on every table!
Since I was leaving the next morning for London, I will have to try these nice places by the Danube during my next trip to Vienna, scheduled for the next time AA will offer Business fares at 50% in 2013, most probably for May or June.
I will conclude saying that if you are the kind of tourist renting a Segway rather than walking a few blocks along the ocean in Miami Beach, this place is NOT for you! But if you don’t mind walking and going up and down the stairs (NO escalators and NO elevators there!), then you shouldn’t miss this magic place next time you go to Vienna. Personally, I have been in Austria several times since the 1970s and it was only in May 2012 that I discovered this charming place because I was wandering around.
On my second day, I took subway line U 1 downtown (only three stops from both hotels) but, instead of getting off at “Vorgartenstrasse” station to go back to my room, I continued to the following one, called “DONAUINSEL”, which took me to a long and narrow island in the middle of the Danube river, from where I walked back to my hotel on a pedestrian and bike bridge next to the big road bridge with the subway hidden underneath.
Since it was already 8 pm under a partly cloudy sky, I couldn’t take any pictures nor film a couple of sequences with my cheap camcorder, so I returned a few days later, on a bright and sunny morning, right after a big 6 € breakfast in my hotel (for more details about this incredibly cheap big breakfast, please read my review about the “Etap Wien Messe”) and started filming and taking pictures.
When I was about to leave, I decided to see the other side of a light house and that’s when I discovered the other side of this island with great views and plenty of little restaurants, which I hadn’t noticed until then. Most of them offered set menus for lunch, as it is customary in Europe, for a low price (many under 10 €, which is very, very cheap in the old continent!) and I saw one with Mexican food where they had chicken with pineapple that day.
I had the intention to return there a few hours later, but in the afternoon the weather was turning ugly, so I decided to have lunch in one of the restaurants along Praterstrasse, where I could rapidly get under cover. And I was right because, as I started eating at 2:30 pm, a heavy rain started falling.
Fortunately, “somebody turned off the rain” (as Forrest Gump said in one of the greatest masterpieces of the 7th art, the third of the twelve films that you must take with you to the desert island!) one hour later and I could walk to “Schwedenplatz” and finish smoking my Cuban cigar. Cigar that I had started smoking in the restaurant by the way, because in Vienna, unlike in the US, France or Uruguay, nonsmokers have not managed to impose their tyranny to the whole population and you can still smoke in restaurants, where you will see an ashtray on every table!
Since I was leaving the next morning for London, I will have to try these nice places by the Danube during my next trip to Vienna, scheduled for the next time AA will offer Business fares at 50% in 2013, most probably for May or June.
I will conclude saying that if you are the kind of tourist renting a Segway rather than walking a few blocks along the ocean in Miami Beach, this place is NOT for you! But if you don’t mind walking and going up and down the stairs (NO escalators and NO elevators there!), then you shouldn’t miss this magic place next time you go to Vienna. Personally, I have been in Austria several times since the 1970s and it was only in May 2012 that I discovered this charming place because I was wandering around.
Written June 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
irka_v
Riga, Latvia105 contributions
Sep 2011 • Solo
The great idea for warm autumn or spring day - take a Citybyke for free at the Prater underground station (or near your hotel, whatever) and ride east to the Danube. Don't worry about crossing the river by a very wide bridge with cars around you - there is a nice bicycle road isolated from traffic! You'd be riding over the water almost like flying. After landing on the island you'll find not only bikers paradize with plenty of good asphalt roads going up and down - but a lot of places for picnic (even with firewood ready).
Turning right from the bridge you'll soon find the nicest kids playground I ever saw - a small lake with sandy beach, water wheels, pendant bridge and even a sort of ferry which you can move from one side of the lake to another.
You can absolutely forget about ridiculous grandeur of imperial buildings, absurd pathos of baroque churches, smelly streets and everything artifical in this world - except your bicycle, of course :)
Turning right from the bridge you'll soon find the nicest kids playground I ever saw - a small lake with sandy beach, water wheels, pendant bridge and even a sort of ferry which you can move from one side of the lake to another.
You can absolutely forget about ridiculous grandeur of imperial buildings, absurd pathos of baroque churches, smelly streets and everything artifical in this world - except your bicycle, of course :)
Written September 26, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
timbertoby
Australia962 contributions
Sep 2019
During our stay in Vienna, we went to the Danube River.
From Vienna, we took the train on the U2 line from Nestroyplatz Station to Donauinsel Station which is located on Donauinsel Island.
The multi-level Reichsbrücke (Imperial Bridge) crosses over the Alte Donau (Old Danube) river, Donauinsel Island, the Neue Donau (New Danube) river. It services road vehicles, the U-Bahn trains, pedestrians, cyclists.
Access from Donauinsel Station out onto the pedestrian walkway of the Reichsbrücke gives great views over the rivers.
It was a beautiful river with many white swans. It was clean enough for people to swim although the current did look very strong.
It is a huge summer holiday area & there were signs everywhere about the beach. I realised later that “the Beach” was a small area full of sand & deck chairs, which was set back about 50m from the river by concrete (I guess everything is relative)
It was an easy walk along the rivers & over the Ponte Cagrana (Pontoon Bridge) over the New Danube.
The whole river area was so relaxing & the scenery in the background was very pretty.
From Vienna, we took the train on the U2 line from Nestroyplatz Station to Donauinsel Station which is located on Donauinsel Island.
The multi-level Reichsbrücke (Imperial Bridge) crosses over the Alte Donau (Old Danube) river, Donauinsel Island, the Neue Donau (New Danube) river. It services road vehicles, the U-Bahn trains, pedestrians, cyclists.
Access from Donauinsel Station out onto the pedestrian walkway of the Reichsbrücke gives great views over the rivers.
It was a beautiful river with many white swans. It was clean enough for people to swim although the current did look very strong.
It is a huge summer holiday area & there were signs everywhere about the beach. I realised later that “the Beach” was a small area full of sand & deck chairs, which was set back about 50m from the river by concrete (I guess everything is relative)
It was an easy walk along the rivers & over the Ponte Cagrana (Pontoon Bridge) over the New Danube.
The whole river area was so relaxing & the scenery in the background was very pretty.
Written November 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarolDM1900
Montpelier, VT3,343 contributions
Oct 2019
I did a big review, "RUNNING IN VIENNA: The Donauinsel on the Beautiful Blue Danube" on March 5, 2015. But on a recent visit, I found a great new option, an approximately 10K run that uses the Donaukanal, the EuroVelo 6 connection to the Donauinsel, then back to central Vienna on public transportation.
This run is BEAUTIFUL in the fall, with colorful foliage and many swans. The swim platforms were still in place on the warm sunny day I ran in late October, so I got to refresh my feet in the cool water right near the end of the run. Depending on weather, the big blue platforms may still be there. Details of the run are below. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Start at the Donaukanal near Schwedenplatz. The far side is best, as it is less crowded and more scenic. Just cross over the canal via one of the bridges that has steps down to the waterside pathway. From there, you will be running toward the colorful Spittelau tower that you'll see in the distance. The main point: with your back to Schwedenplatz and central Vienna, you will be crossing the canal and then turning to the left to run in the up river direction.
It's about 5K to the point where the canal meets the river, and canalboats use the Nussdorf Lock to pass through to the Danube. The EuroVelo 6 connection to the Donauinsel is actually a bit before that, but it's worth it to do a short detour so as to see the sights: the lock, the beautiful Otto Wagner bridge built in the 1890s, and the real Danube, because what you see along the Donauinsel is a lake-like "New Danube" created for flood control.
As you are getting near to the lock, you'll see a pedestrian/cyclist bridge crossing over to the other side of the canal. Take it, and you will not be disappointed. You will have to backtrack and re-cross that little bridge, re-tracing your route just a bit to connect with the EV6, which is well signed, but do keep your eyes open for the small sign on the concrete wall of an overpass so you don't miss it. Once on EV6, you will not be competing with car traffic, but will be entering the Donauinsel area via the large, wide, people-only Jedleseerbrücke.
When you get to the Donauinsel, you can descend to the pathway along the water on the near side or the far side. There you will be turning to your right, going in the down river direction back toward the city. I chose the far side because I saw more swans there, but re-crossed on a floating pedestrian bridge just before Reichsbrücke to avoid a busy area near a big highway with some pretty ripe sewer vents. The near side pathway has less development, more green, and no sewer vents. Whichever side you choose, it's about 4K to the bridge, where you can catch the U-Bahn (U1 line) back to central Vienna.
If you'd prefer, you can shorten this run by a few kilometers by picking up the U6 on the far side pathway, just a bit below the Jedleseer Bridge. You can't miss the station. It's big, just steps away from the water. If you should miss it, you'll find yourself walking under a bridge with U-Bahn trains crossing it, so you'll know to turn back and find the station. The U6 connects to both the U3 and the U4, and you can get anywhere on the U-Bahn system starting there.
If you're running on the near side pathway, there's a tram, #31, that you can take back to the Shottenring tram stop in central Vienna. To find it, exit to the right as you near the bridge that the U6 trains cross. You may see a sign for a cafe; that's where you turn off the pathway. It's a short slightly uphill walk to the tram stop, located in a center island on the roadway, and a couple of other trams stop there too; so check the routes to see if one of the other ones might be more convenient for you.
This may seem a bit complicated as you are reading it, but once you are out there running, it's pretty straightforward. Main points to keep in mind are these: Donaukanal, EuroVelo6/Jedleseerbrüke, Donauinsel, Reichsbrücke. That will get you there.
If all else fails, you can always do a there-and-back from the U1 station at the Reichsbrücke, running down one side of the Donauinsel, crossing over the Jedleseer Bridge (it's bright orange, so easy to identify) to the other side and running back to where you started.
Running routes here are pretty easy to fine-tune in order to optimize them for your own level of fitness, interest, and/or time. It's hard to get lost but if you do, you can count on some kind of public transportation being nearby so you can get your bearings. And you can always turn back the way you came if you need to.
What matters is just to get out there and enjoy this beautiful place. With the river and canal, the woods, the parks, and the beautiful streets of old Vienna (perfect for a dawn run), it's a runner's paradise. So ENJOY.
This run is BEAUTIFUL in the fall, with colorful foliage and many swans. The swim platforms were still in place on the warm sunny day I ran in late October, so I got to refresh my feet in the cool water right near the end of the run. Depending on weather, the big blue platforms may still be there. Details of the run are below. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Start at the Donaukanal near Schwedenplatz. The far side is best, as it is less crowded and more scenic. Just cross over the canal via one of the bridges that has steps down to the waterside pathway. From there, you will be running toward the colorful Spittelau tower that you'll see in the distance. The main point: with your back to Schwedenplatz and central Vienna, you will be crossing the canal and then turning to the left to run in the up river direction.
It's about 5K to the point where the canal meets the river, and canalboats use the Nussdorf Lock to pass through to the Danube. The EuroVelo 6 connection to the Donauinsel is actually a bit before that, but it's worth it to do a short detour so as to see the sights: the lock, the beautiful Otto Wagner bridge built in the 1890s, and the real Danube, because what you see along the Donauinsel is a lake-like "New Danube" created for flood control.
As you are getting near to the lock, you'll see a pedestrian/cyclist bridge crossing over to the other side of the canal. Take it, and you will not be disappointed. You will have to backtrack and re-cross that little bridge, re-tracing your route just a bit to connect with the EV6, which is well signed, but do keep your eyes open for the small sign on the concrete wall of an overpass so you don't miss it. Once on EV6, you will not be competing with car traffic, but will be entering the Donauinsel area via the large, wide, people-only Jedleseerbrücke.
When you get to the Donauinsel, you can descend to the pathway along the water on the near side or the far side. There you will be turning to your right, going in the down river direction back toward the city. I chose the far side because I saw more swans there, but re-crossed on a floating pedestrian bridge just before Reichsbrücke to avoid a busy area near a big highway with some pretty ripe sewer vents. The near side pathway has less development, more green, and no sewer vents. Whichever side you choose, it's about 4K to the bridge, where you can catch the U-Bahn (U1 line) back to central Vienna.
If you'd prefer, you can shorten this run by a few kilometers by picking up the U6 on the far side pathway, just a bit below the Jedleseer Bridge. You can't miss the station. It's big, just steps away from the water. If you should miss it, you'll find yourself walking under a bridge with U-Bahn trains crossing it, so you'll know to turn back and find the station. The U6 connects to both the U3 and the U4, and you can get anywhere on the U-Bahn system starting there.
If you're running on the near side pathway, there's a tram, #31, that you can take back to the Shottenring tram stop in central Vienna. To find it, exit to the right as you near the bridge that the U6 trains cross. You may see a sign for a cafe; that's where you turn off the pathway. It's a short slightly uphill walk to the tram stop, located in a center island on the roadway, and a couple of other trams stop there too; so check the routes to see if one of the other ones might be more convenient for you.
This may seem a bit complicated as you are reading it, but once you are out there running, it's pretty straightforward. Main points to keep in mind are these: Donaukanal, EuroVelo6/Jedleseerbrüke, Donauinsel, Reichsbrücke. That will get you there.
If all else fails, you can always do a there-and-back from the U1 station at the Reichsbrücke, running down one side of the Donauinsel, crossing over the Jedleseer Bridge (it's bright orange, so easy to identify) to the other side and running back to where you started.
Running routes here are pretty easy to fine-tune in order to optimize them for your own level of fitness, interest, and/or time. It's hard to get lost but if you do, you can count on some kind of public transportation being nearby so you can get your bearings. And you can always turn back the way you came if you need to.
What matters is just to get out there and enjoy this beautiful place. With the river and canal, the woods, the parks, and the beautiful streets of old Vienna (perfect for a dawn run), it's a runner's paradise. So ENJOY.
Written November 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EL K
29 contributions
Sep 2019 • Family
Took the U1 to Donauinsel. Walked across a short bridge over the river. Lovely place for a picnic, cycling or walking.
Written September 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What is the name of the best restaurant in the FKK area where a couple can have a nice meal while unclothed?
Written September 30, 2019
Where can you rent out bikes on the island and how much are they . Please
Written June 14, 2019
We were on a riverboat cruise so the bikes were provided for us. However, there is a service called Donkey Bikes that has bike rentals all around Vienna - some very close to Danube Island. Go to the website donkey.bike for more information.
Written June 15, 2019
What is the best way to reach the nudist FKK in Donauinsel?
Written May 12, 2017
The nudist part is on the southern end of Donauinsel! Best way to get there: U1 station DONAUINSEL and then either walking (around 35 minutes) or faster on the bike
Written May 24, 2017
Hi, thanks for such detailed discription.
Is first week of march considered "spring"?
Written February 18, 2016
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